doing 4 a-levels?

I am wondering if i should drop one a-level.

Some context: I am a WJEC Welsh student, so I complete both AS and A-Level. In my AS, I got AAAAA in English, history, media, psychology and Welsh Bacc (does that count as an A-level idk my school counts it as one). I'm a few weeks into y13 and the workload is not bad, it's more the time spent in lessons. I wish to study history at a top uni.

I originally planned to drop psychology because I found it the most boring (I hate research methods, but the other stuff is fine) i am still good at it and find it quite easy, and have already completed the AS, so should I just keep it on?

My school originally recommended dropping media because it's considered a "soft subject" but it comes naturally to me and interests me a lot.

Will it be too much later down the year if i don't drop it? But importantly, is there any benefit of doing 4? Am I just torturing myself for no reason? The history units are very hefty this year. Also, my welsh bacc will be done by January so ideally i would've dropped that if i was allowed, since most of my uni choices don't take it but my school won't let me.

Reply 1

University of Bath

Official Rep

Hi there,

Unis will generally only ever ask for 3 A-Levels and so on that basis there is limited benefit to doing four for History. Some unis give slightly reduced offers for those with a fourth A-Level at grade B+ but this mostly applies to STEM/Maths courses.

Whilst Bath doesn't offer History, History courses at other unis generally don't require a particular subject combination.

For example, Durham's History BA requires A*AA with an A in history, but states no other required subjects. Also, UCL's History BA course asks for AAA including History but do not state other requirements. Some universities websites state that they do value 'traditional subjects' more, such as LSE, but there are plenty of very high-performing unis you would be eligible for with 3 A-Levels, and whilst keeping Media.

If you feel you would do better at Media than Psychology and you enjoy it more, then you should keep Media as the most important subjects for your course choice will be History and English. Doing three A-Levels rather than 4 will also give you more time later down the line to dedicate more time and effort to your other subjects, namely History, and protect you more from burning out. However, this is of course entirely your choice 🙂

I hope this helps a bit and best of luck!

University of Bath

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 2

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by sariya.r

I am wondering if i should drop one a-level.
Some context: I am a WJEC Welsh student, so I complete both AS and A-Level. In my AS, I got AAAAA in English, history, media, psychology and Welsh Bacc (does that count as an A-level idk my school counts it as one). I'm a few weeks into y13 and the workload is not bad, it's more the time spent in lessons. I wish to study history at a top uni.
I originally planned to drop psychology because I found it the most boring (I hate research methods, but the other stuff is fine) i am still good at it and find it quite easy, and have already completed the AS, so should I just keep it on?
My school originally recommended dropping media because it's considered a "soft subject" but it comes naturally to me and interests me a lot.
Will it be too much later down the year if i don't drop it? But importantly, is there any benefit of doing 4? Am I just torturing myself for no reason? The history units are very hefty this year. Also, my welsh bacc will be done by January so ideally i would've dropped that if i was allowed, since most of my uni choices don't take it but my school won't let me.

If you think you would do better dropping down to 3, then id drop one. As well as 3 full 3-levels, you still have the AS level in whichever subject you drop. And the A-level welsh bacc (some places will count it, even if others do not. Id still put it down on your application).
With regards to which subject to drop, drop whichever you think you will get the worst grade in and enjoy the least.
It may be worth just double checking the unis websites to see what their entry requirements are.